This is a list of the rulers of the Kingdom of Kongo known commonly as the Manikongos (KiKongo: Mwenekongo). Mwene (plural: Awene) in Kikongo meant a person holding authority, particularly judicial authority, derived from the root -wene which meant, by the sixteenth century at least, territory over which jurisdiction was held. The ruler of Kongo was the most powerful mwene in the region who the Portuguese regarded as the king (in Kikongo ntinu) upon their arrival in 1483.
The kings claimed several titles and the following royal style in Portuguese "Pela graça de de Deus Rei do Congo, do Loango, de Cacongo e de Ngoio, aquém e além do Zaire, Senhor dos Ambundos e de Angola, de Aquisima, de Musuru, de Matamba, de Malilu, de Musuko e Anzizo, da conquista de Pangu-Alumbu, etc", that means "By the grace of God King of Kongo, of Loango, of Kakongo and of Ngoyo, on this side of the Zaire and beyond it, Lord of the Ambundu and of Angola, of Aquisima, of Musuru, of Matamba, of Malilu, of Musuko and Anzizo, of the conquest of Pangu-Alumbu, etc".
Kandas, Gerações and Houses
The kingdom of Kongo had a formal state apparatus, in which most positions (rendas in Portuguese-language documents, meaning income bearing positions) were in the hands of the king, and the king himself was elected by powerful officials. Kings sought and held office with the assistance of a kanda. Each kanda (plural: makanda) was a faction which organized people according to a common goal, often but not always rooted in a kin-based relationship.[1] Kandas generally took the name of a person (i.e. Nimi, Nlaza or Mpanzu), but could also take the name of a location or title such as Mbala (court)[2]) or birthplace (Kwilu or Nsundi[3]). The Kikongo prefix "ki" is added onto these names to mean "people with something in common".[4] These factions were recorded as gerações or casas (lineages or houses) in Kongo documents written in Portuguese. Until the mid-seventeenth century, following the Battle of Mbwila, these factions were short-lived and fluctuating, but following the battle, factions were much firmer and lasted for generations, particularly the Kimpanzu and Kinlaza.[5] The Quilombo dos Palmares, a Maroon kingdom formed in Northeast Brazil, was founded by princes and nobles who were enslaved and transported to Portuguese Brazil after the battle in Kongo. There, they retained their titles and their lineage survived even after the kingdom itself was destroyed.
Dynasties
When the Portuguese arrived in Kongo in 1483,[6] the reigning king represented the Nimi kanda.[7] This kanda was probably descended from Nimi a Nzima, father of the founder of Kongo.[8] Divisions emerged within the kanda during succession disputes, for example, following the death of Afonso I in 1542, his son Pedro I and grandson Diogo I formed two opposed factions, that of Pedro was called the Kibala (court) faction, and the other, whose name is unknown that followed Diogo.[9] Other elections in the sixteenth century probably also involved similar factions, though the details are unknown.
King Álvaro I was the first king of the House of Kwilu (Portuguese: Coulo). This kanda or lineage was named for the birthplace of Álvaro,[10] north of the capital city. The Kwilu reigned until 1614 when Antonio da Silva, Duke of Mbamba intervened to place Bernardo I on the throne, in place of Álvaro II's minor son, who would eventually take office as Álvaro III.
Another kanda, the House of Nsundi, later known as the Kinkanga a Mvika, took control of Kongo in 1622 under Pedro II, and retained it through the reign of his son, Garcia I.[11] Garcia never held power strongly, and the Kimpanzu returned to power under Ambrosio I. Kimpanzu domination ended in 1641 when two brothers Álvaro and Garcia of the new House of Kinlaza overthrew Álvaro V and took power.[12] The members of the Kikanga a Mvika were all killed or absorbed into the Kinlaza by 1657.[13] The Kinlaza dynasty would reign until Kongo's catastrophic civil war following the 1665 Battle of Mbwila, when sporadic and violent alternation followed.
The capital was destroyed in 1678.[14] Its destruction forced the claimants from both sides of the conflict to rule from mountain fortresses. The Kinlaza retreated to Mbula where they founded the capital of Lemba.[13] Earlier another branch of Kinlaza, under the leadership of Garcia III of Kongo founded a settlement at Kibangu. The Kimpanzu based their struggle for the throne at Mbamba Luvota in the south of Soyo.[13] A new faction appeared in the form of the Água Rosada kanda, headquartered at the mountain fortress of Kibangu. This might be considered a new house formed from both the Kinlaza and Kimpanzu, its founders were the children of a Kimpanzu father and a Kinlaza mother.[15] All parties claimed kingship over Kongo (or what was left of it), but their power rarely held beyond their fortresses or the immediately surrounding area.
The country was finally reunited by Pedro IV of the Água Rosada kanda. Pedro IV declared a doctrine of shared power by which the throne would shift (in due time) from Kinlaza to the Kimpanzu and back.,[16] while the Água Rosada appear to have continued as neutral in Pedro's fortress of Kibangu.[17]
The system functioned sporadically, with considerable fighting, until 1764 when José I of the Kinlaza faction usurped the throne and thrust the country back into civil war. The Kinlaza enjoyed a short-lived second dynasty that ended in 1788. After that, the throne moved through various royal hands until the kingship was extinguished in 1914.
Elections
The selection of kings of Kongo was by a variety of principles, as kings themselves evoked different methods of selection in their letters announcing their succession. Typically the kingdom was said to pass by election,[18] though the electors and the process they used changed over time and according to circumstances. Frequently election seems to have been a combination of elective and hereditary principles.[18]
Kings of Kongo
The following section is divided into periods based on kanda or house rulership. Most houses reigned of a distinct period with few if any intervals. This is not the case, however; after the Kongo Civil War. During this period you will note the name of each king's kanda alongside their reign.
Pre-colonial rulers
Ancestors of later rulers
According to oral tradition, the first king was the son of chief Nimi and his consort of unknown name, Mwene Mbata's daughter. Most of the succeeding dynasties either claim descent from this union or otherwise derive their legitimacy from it.
House of Kilukeni/Lukeni kanda (1390s–1568)
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
|---|
| Lukeni lua Nimi | c. 1380 – c. 1420 (aged 39/40) | c. 1390 | c. 1420 | 1 Manikongo. He was the son of Chief Nimi and his consort, Mwene Mbata's daughter. | Kilukeni |  |
| Nanga of Kongo | c. 1381 – c. 1435 (aged 53/54) | c. 1420 | c. 1435 | 2 Manikongo. He was a cousin of his predecessor. | Kilukeni | |
| Nlaza of Kongo | c. 1407 – c. 1450 (aged 42/43) | c. 1435 | c. 1450 | 3 Manikongo. He was a cousin of the 1st King.. | Kilukeni | |
| Nkuwu a Ntinu of Kongo | c. 1422 – c. 1470 (aged 47/48) | c. 1450 | c. 1470 | 4 Manikongo. He was the son of the 1st King. Also known as Nkuwu a Lukeni. | Kilukeni | |
| João I Nzinga a Nkuwu | c. 1440 – 1509 (aged 68/69) | c. 1470 | 1509 | 5 Manikongo. He was the son of his predecessor and was baptized as João I on 3 May 1491, but returned to traditional beliefs around 1495. | Kilukeni |  |
| Afonso I Mvemba a Nzinga | 1456–1542 or 1543 (aged 85/86 or 86/87) | 1509 | 1542 or 1543 | 6 Manikongo. He was the son of his predecessor and the first true Catholic king of Kongo. After him every king was Catholic. Granted a coat of arms. | Kilukeni
 |  |
| Pedro I Nkanga a Mvemba | 1478–1566 (aged 87/88) | 1542/43 | 1545 | 7 Manikongo. He was the son of his predecessor, but a member of a different Kanda (the House of Kibala).[19] | Kilukeni
| |
| Francisco I of Kongo | 1500–1545 (aged 44/45) | 1545 | 1545 | 8 Manikongo. He was the son of his predecessor. | Kilukeni
| |
| Diogo I Nkumbi a Mpudi | 1503–1561 (aged 57/58) | 1545 | 4 November 1561 | 9 Manikongo. He was a brother of his predecessor. | Kilukeni
| |
| Afonso II Mpemba a Nzinga | 1531 – 1 December 1561 (aged 29/30) | 4 November 1561 | 1 December 1561 | 10 Manikongo. He was the son of his predecessor. | Kilukeni
| |
| Bernardo I of Kongo | 1534 – 10 April 1561 (aged 31/32) | 1 December 1561 | 10 April 1567 | 11 Manikongo. He was a brother of his predecessor. | Kilukeni
| |
| Henrique I Nerika a Mpudi | 1505 – 1 February 1568 (aged 62/63) | 10 April 1567 | 1 February 1568 | 12 Manikongo. He was the uncle of his predecessor. | Kilukeni
| |
House of Kwilu/Kwilu kanda (1568–1622)
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
|---|
| Álvaro I Nimi a Lukeni lua Mvemba | 1537 – 6 March 1587 (aged 49/50) | 1 February 1568 | 6 March 1587 | 13 Manikongo. He was the son-in-law of his predecessor. Granted a coat of arms. | Kwilu
 |  |
| Álvaro II Nimi a Nkanga | 1565 – 9 August 1614 (aged 48/49) | 6 March 1587 | 9 August 1614 | 14 Manikongo. He was a son of his predecessor. | Kwilu
| |
| Bernardo II Nimi a Nkanga | 1570 – 20 August 1615 (aged 44/45) | 9 August 1614 | 20 August 1615 | 15 Manikongo. He was a brother of his predecessor. | Kwilu
| |
| Álvaro III Nimi a Mpanzu | 1595 – 4 May 1622 (aged 26/27) | 20 August 1615 | 4 May 1622 | 16 Manikongo. He was the son of his predecessor. | Kwilu
| |
House of Nsundi/Kinkanga a Mvika kanda (1622–1626)
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
|---|
| Pedro II Nkanga a Mvika | 1575 – 13 April 1624 (aged 48/49) | 27 April 1622 | 13 April 1624 | 17 Manikongo. He was a distant cousin of his predecessor. | Kinkanga
| |
| Garcia I Mvemba a Nkanga | 1600 – 26 June 1626 (aged 25/26) | 13 April 1624 | 26 June 1626 | 18 Manikongo. He was the son of his predecessor. | Kinkanga
| |
House of Kwilu/Kwilu kanda (1626–1636)
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
|---|
| Ambrósio I Nimi a Nkanga | 1600/1610 – 7 March 1631 (aged 21/31) | March 1626 | 7 March 1631 | 19 Manikongo. He was the son of Álvaro III. | Kwilu
| |
| Álvaro IV Nzinga a Nkuwu | 1610 – 25 March 1636 (aged 25/26) | 8 February 1631 | 24 February 1636 | 20 Manikongo. He was a brother of his predecessor. | Kwilu
| |
House of Kimpanzu/Mpanzu kanda (1636)
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
|---|
| Álvaro V Mpanzu a Nimi | 1613 – 14 August 1636 (aged 23) | 27 February 1636 | 14 August 1636 | 21 Manikongo. He was a son of Pedro II. | Kimpanzu
| |
House of Kinlaza/Nlaza kanda (1636–1665)
Civil War (1665–1709)
Kings of São Salvador (1665–1678 and 1691–1709)
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
|---|
| Afonso II of Kongo and Nkondo | 1632–1669 (aged 36/37) | November 1665 | December 1665 | Claimed the title of Manikongo. He ruled the capital of the once unified Kingdom, but was deposed only a month into his term. The deposed king was forced to flee into the mountains of Nkondo where he ruled until his death in 1669. Was a relative of António I. | Kimpanzu
| |
| Álvaro VII Mpanzu a Mpandu | 1631 – June 1666 (aged 34/35) | December 1665 | June 1666 | Claimed the title of Manikongo. He sent Capuchin friar, Friar Girolamo of Montesarchio, to make peace with the Portuguese in to Luanda, in Christmas 1665. But the friar was waylaid by a rebellion in Mbamba, and only returned to the capital in June 1666.[20] | Kinlaza
| |
| Álvaro VIII Mvemba a Mpanzu | 1630 – January 1669 (aged 38/39) | June 1666 | January 1669 | Claimed the title of Manikongo. Was elevated to the throne by Paulo da Silva, Count of Soyo, who marched on São Salvador and killed his predecessor. In 1667, he sent his ambassador, Anastasius, to Luanda, to negotiate a treaty that ceded to the Portugueses the right to exploit the mines of the provinces of Mbamba and Mpemba.[20] | Kinlaza
| |
| Pedro III Nsimba Ntamba | 1648–1680 (aged 34/35) | January 1669 | June 1669 | Claimed the title of Manikongo. As Marquis of Mbemba, he led a small army and attacked Mbamba, killed Count Theodosius and then invaded the kingdom's capital, killing Alvaro VIII and proclaimed himself king.[21] | Kinlaza
| |
| Álvaro IX Mpanzu a Ntivila | 1650–1669 (aged 18/19) | June 1669 | End of 1670 | Claimed the title of Manikongo. In 1670, Álvaro IX was overthrown by the Soyo. | Kimpanzu
| |
| Rafael I Nzinga a Nkanga | Unknown – 1673 (aged 4+) | End of 1670 | Mid of 1673 | He claimed the title of Manikongo. After his ascension, he was briefly driven from the capital by Soyo.[22] | Kinlaza
| |
| Afonso III Mvemba a Nimi | Unknown – mid 1674 (aged 37+) | Mid 1673 | Mid 1674 | He claimed the title of Manikongo. He governed the Marquisate/Kingdom of Nkondo from late 1669 until mid 1673. | Kimpanzu
| |
| Daniel I Miala mia Nzimbwila | Unknown – mid 1678 (aged 4+) | Mid 1674 | Mid 1678 | He claimed the title of Manikongo. In 1678 Pedro III marched on São Salvador with Jaga mercenaries resulting in the Sack of São Salvador, which burnt the majority of the city to the ground and killed Daniel I.[21] | Kimpanzu
| |
| Interregnum | 13 years | Mid 1678 | 1691 | After the Sack of São Salvador the nation essentially ceased to exist for over a decade, instead split into three rival kingdoms ruled by the various claimants to the throne. | | |
| Manuel Afonso Nzinga an Elenke | Unknown – 23 September 1693 (aged 3/7+) | 1691 | 1692 | He conquered São Salvador, but was deposed and executed in 23 September 1693.[23] | Kimpanzu
| |
| Pedro IV Afonso Agua Rosada Nusamu a Mvemba | c. 1666 – 21 February 1718 (aged 51/52) | 1692 | 1704 | He claimed the title of Manikongo, until he reunified the Kingdom.[24] | Água Rosada
| |
| Pedro Constantino da Silva | Unknown – 15 February 1709 (aged 13+) | 1704 | 15 February 1709 | He claimed the title of Manikongo and was a staunch supporter of Dona Beatriz Kimpa Vita. | Kimpanzu
| |
Kings of Kibangu for the House of Kinlaza (1678–1704)
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
|---|
| Sebastião I | 1634 – 1669/70 (aged 35/36) | 1666 | 1669/70 | Claimed the title of Manikongo. He ruled the Kingdom of Kibangu and was assassinated by Dom Rafael I. His 3 sons founded the House of Água Rosada. | Kinlaza
| |
| Garcia III Nkanga a Mvemba | Unknown – 1685/89 (aged 19+) | 1669/70 | 1685/89 | Claimed the title of Manikongo. He ruled the Kingdom of Kibangu after his father and was assassinated by Dom Pedro III. | Água Rosada
| |
| André I Mvizi a Nkanga | 1625–1685/89 (aged 60/61) | 1685/89 | 1686/90 | Claimed the title of Manikongo. He ruled the Kingdom of Kibangu after his brother, but died of natural causes after 1 year. | Kinlaza
| |
| Manuel Afonso Nzinga an Elenke | Unknown – 23 September 1693 (aged 3/7+) | 1686/90 | 1687/91 | He conquered the Kingdom of Kibangu for a year and was executed in 23 September 1693.[23] | Kimpanzu
| |
| Álvaro X Nimi a Mvemba Agua Rosada | Unknown – December 1695 (aged 25+) | 1688 | 1695 | Claimed the title of Manikongo. He was a son of Sebastião I and reconquered the Kingdom of Kibangu. He ordered the edification of several churches in Kibagu but had a premature death before they were completed.[25] | Água Rosada
| |
| Pedro IV Afonso Agua Rosada Nusamu a Mvemba | c. 1666 – 21 February 1718 (aged 51/52) | 1 December 1695 | 15 February 1709 | He claimed the title of Manikongo, until he reunified the Kingdom. He ruled the Kingdom of Kibangu after his brother.[24] | Água Rosada
| |
Kings of Nkondo for the House of Kimpanzu (1666–1709)
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
|---|
| Afonso II of Kongo and Nkondo | 1632–1669 (aged 36/37) | 1666 | 1669 | Claimed the title of Manikongo. He was a grandson of Álvaro II, who married Ana Afonso de Leão and ruled the Kingdom of Nkondo. | Kimpanzu
| |
| Afonso III of Kongo | Unknown – mid 1674 (aged 37+) | 1669 | Mid 1673 | Claimed the title of Manikongo. He ruled the Kingdom of Nkondo after his brother. | Kimpanzu
| |
| Ana Afonso de Leão | 1625–1710 (aged 84/85) | 1673 | 1709 | Claimed the title of Manikongo. She was the sister of Garcia II and ruled the Kingdom of Nkondo after her brother-in-law. | Kinlaza
| |
Awenekongo of Lemba-Mbula for the House of Kinlaza (1669–1716)
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
|---|
| Pedro III Nsimba Ntamba | 1648–1683 (aged 34/35) | June 1669 | 1680/83 | Claimed the title of Manikongo. He was a grandson of Álvaro II and ruled the Kingdom of Lemba-Mbula. He was assassinated by the King of Mbamba-Lovata, Manuel de Nóbrega.[21] | Kinlaza
| |
| João Manuel II Nzuzi a Ntamba | Unknown–1716 (aged 36+) | 1680/83 | 1716 | Claimed the title of Manikongo. He was a brother of his predecessor and ruled the Kingdom of Lemba-Mbula.[26] | Kinlaza
| |
Mwenekongo of Mbamba-Lovata for the House of Kimpanzu (1678–1715)
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
|---|
| Manuel II of Kongo | Unknown–1715 (aged 45+) | 1678 | 1715 | Claimed the title of Manikongo. Born Manuel de Vuzi a Nóbrega. He was a grandson of Álvaro II and ruled the Kingdom of Mbamba-Lovata.[21] | Kimpanzu
| |
Reunification and Elective Monarchy (1709–1888)
Portuguese vassalage (1888–1914)
| Name | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
|---|
| Pedro V Elelo | Unknown–1891 (aged 31+) | 7 August 1859 | February 1891 | Manikongo. He was a nephew of his Henrique III. Signed a treaty of vassalage with Portugal in 1888. He was the 6th king named Pedro, but signed his correspondence as Pedro V, thus ignoring the Pedro V who had ruled from 1763 to 1764. | Kinlaza
|  |
| Álvaro XIV of Kongo | Unknown – 18 November 1896 | February 1891 | 18 November 1896 | Manikongo. He was a nephew of his predecessor. Also known as Água Rosada. | Água Rosadas
|  |
| Henrique IV of Kongo | 1873–1901 (aged 27/28) | 1896 | 1901 | Manikongo. He was a half-brother of his predecessor. Also known as Tekenge. | Água Rosada
| |
| Pedro VI of Kongo | 1880 – 24 June 1910 (aged 29/30) | 1901 | 1910 | Manikongo. He was a nephew of Álvaro XIV. Also known as Mbemba. | Água Rosada
| |
| Manuel Nkomba of Kongo | Unknown – 1911 | 1910 | 1911 | Manikongo. He was a son of his predecessor. He was not awarded the title of Manuel III. | Água Rosada
| |
| Manuel III of Kongo | 1884–1927 (aged 42/43) | 1911 | 1914 | Manikongo. He was a uncle of his predecessor. Also known as Kiditu. The Portuguese abolished the title of King of Kongo following the revolt of 1914. | Água Rosada
|  |
Pretenders to the throne since 1914
- Álvaro XV Afonso of Kongo, also known as Nzinga, (ruled 1915–1923)
- Pedro VII Afonso of Kongo (ruled 1923–1955)
- António III Afonso of Kongo (ruled 1955–1957)
- Isabel Maria da Gama of Kongo (f., 1st regency 1957–1962)
- Pedro VIII Afonso of Kongo, also known as Mansala, (ruled September to October 1962)
- Isabel Maria da Gama of Kongo (f., 2nd regency 1962–1975)
- Interregnum, 1975–2000
- Josè Henrique da Silva Meso Mankala of Kongo was born in 1942 and is said to be the grandson of King Pedro VII. He serves as head of the royal family and leader of the Kongolese nobility. And has ruled since 19 November 2000. He is living in exile in Cabinda.[28][29][30]
The head of the nucleus of the Traditional Authorities of the Royal Court of Kongo is Afonso Mendes and is living in Mbanza-Kongo[31]
Brazilian branch of Palmares
The Quilombo dos Palmares was a Maroon Kingdom formed in the Captaincy of Pernambuco in what is now Northeast Brazil sometime around 1605 by princes and nobles from the Kingdom of Kongo. They had been captured during the Battle of Mbwila, and were subsequently transported there as slaves. After escaping slavery, they resumed use of their royal and noble titles. The members of this branch probably belonged to the House of Awenekongo of the Nlaza kanda of Antonio I.
- Ganga Zumba, King (ruled 1630–1678). A son of Princess Aqualtune, daughter of an unidentified king of Kongo. She was present at the Battle of Mbwila.
- Ganga Zona, King (ruled 1678–1678). A brother of Ganga Zumba.
- Zumbi, also known as Francisco, King (ruled 1678–1695). A nephew of Ganga Zumba, son of his sister Princess Sabina. Today, a National Hero in Brazil.
- Camuanga, King (ruled 1695–?). A son of Zumbi and the last known member of the lineage in the Americas.
This list is constructed primarily from that found in Graziano Saccardo, 'Congo e Angola con la storia dell'antica missione dei cappuccini (3 vols, Milan, 1982–83), vol. 3, pp. 11–14. Saccardo bases his reconstruction on several king lists produced over time, by António da Silva, Duke of Mbamba in 1617, by António de Teruel in 1664, by Pedro Mendes in 1710 and by Francisco das Necessidades in 1844. In addition, many of the kings wrote letters and signed them with both their names and their numbers, and Saccardo has found many of these to verify the kinglists.
Saccardo's king list has been modified in the following manner: the Kikongo names of the kings have been given in a Kikongo form following norms established in Joseph de Munck, Kinkulu kia Nsi eto' (Tumba, 1956, 2nd ed, Matadi, 1971). The Christian names of the kings are given in modern Portuguese spelling. In addition, Saccardo's entries have been updated by a number of sources, most notably the king list, unknown to him found in the Instituto Histórico e Geográfico Brasileiro (Rio de Janeiro) Manuscritos, Lata 6, pasta 2. "Catallogo dos reis de Congo" MS of c. 1758.
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